Being the amazing, true-to-life adventures and (very likely) misadventures of a writer who seeks to take his education, activism and seemingly boundless energy to North Minneapolis, (NoMi) to help with a process of turning a rapidly revitalizing neighborhood into something approaching Urban Utopia. I am here to be near my child. From 02/08 to 06/15 this blog pushed free speech to the envelope, so others could take heart and speak unafraid. Email me at hoffjohnw@gmail.com

Facebook photo used under First Amendment Fair Comment and Criticism, blogpost by John HoffWhat We Do Guest author Jordan North has obtained, before any other media, the name of yesterday's 17-year-old shooting victim who died today. The shooting is tragic and Jordan North's sympathetic article about the young victim is certainly within the range of free expression of a JNS guest author. But customarily, this blog digs up the ugly facts about Northside shooting victims who--when the usual pattern holds true--are not much different than their alleged shooters except for one key controlling factor...Who got the drop on who.Familiar Gang-Affiliated Names Young Nehemiah Steverson follows the usual pattern to a "T." Pictured above, he is apparently one of these fine fellows who are identified as follows: L Kay Rip SkitzHtfyak QkAnd Tay-tay RippuddaloccI do not know what the alphabet soup name "Htfyak Qk" references, but "Rip Skitz" is known to reference the death of Juwan Osborne, known as "Skitz." The murder of Osborne some years ago set off a pattern of violent retaliation, counter-retaliation and counter-counter retaliation that I suspect continues to the present moment with the death of Steverson. As for the name "Tay-tay Rippuddalocc," this name references the death of DeCari Antonio Starr, known on the streets as "Pudda." Starr's murder remains unsolved. The photo is further tagged "Glo gang" and "(hash tag) FreeLK." That's a lot of background for a single Facebook photo, but in that one photo Steverson reveals himself to be "deep in the mix," associating with and part of the swirling gang-affiliated social scene. It would be easy to say if you lay down with dogs you wake up with fleas, but of course Steverson won't be waking up at all.Familiar Apparel, Poses And Gang Themes The photo tour continues...In this image, below, Steverson is wearing the kind of military style pants favored by many North Minneapolis youth. A mere fashion statement or some other kind of statement? Readers can judge for themselves.

The following image from Steverson's Facebook is tagged "Long Live Ty Crack." This references the death of gang leader Tyrone "Ty Crack" Washington, whose death has also set off a pattern of violence, counter-violence, and counter-counter violence which (incredibly) has an accompanying musical soundtrack, click here.Are you keeping track? How many blatant, overt references to gang activity is that on one Facebook page?Oh, but there's more.Steverson's Facebook page also includes this image:

Not sure what any of that means, but the phrase "Fucc Tha Lows" is something I've seen quite a bit with other gang-affiliated Facebook pages. I've become aware "Lows" references a geographic region of North Minneapolis, but I have not yet figured out its boundaries. Steverson tagged this page "Silly Opps," a term which gets thrown around like the word "opposition." So presumably the individuals depicted in this image are "opps," therefore enemies or opposition to Steverson? The photo below was captioned like so: (September 11, 2011) "THE BIG BASH WAS CRAZY" It is not clear what event is being referenced, but that kind of thing catches my eye.

This Kid Never Had A Chance Now I shall switch gears and report some of Steverson's heart rending humanity, as depicted on his Facebook.

Yes, two lobster tails. Once upon a time, he enjoyed a nice meal like it and took a picture of it. I see this, sometimes, when looking over the Facebook pages of the young and gang-affiliated. Sometimes they have a real nice meal and they take a photo of it like a tourist. Too much is revealed by that. Somehow the person posting the photo ends up looking more impoverished than if they'd never posted a photo of lobster at all. There is a photo of a baby who looks days old, weeks old at most. (Not pictured) The child is described by Nehemiah Severson as his nephew of Steverson and (I quote) "the Newest Pimp to the Severson family." There is a mug shot, apparently swiped from a mugshot site (it's not like the sites really take steps to prevent that kind of thing) and identified as "Twan" ("Free Twan") and further tagged under the Facebook name Twan NoLove Lord. Republished here in the form of commentary.

This same "Twan NoLove Lord" recently posted some photos of Severson, presumably as a kind of memorialization. In another photo, (below) Severson identifies "Twan" as his "cousin."

There is a great deal of crude sexual bravado expressed in various forms, with the word "hoe" thrown around quite a bit. Here's an example of something Severson posted:

At least one of Steverson's Facebook friends is fairly well known to this blog: Chief Chuck So Iicey (sic) Smith, who has changed his profile to "Chuck Folks." Steverson is Facebook friends with both profiles. Chief Chuck, whose real name is Glenn D. Smith, is currently in jail but this blog hasn't had time to update readers on this development. But there you go. Glenn Smith. Back in jail since May 2 on weapons possession charges, bail at $200,000. I'll catch you all up when I can, but in the meantime this OTHER young man is dead. So, journalistically, I have to triage but it's kind of the opposite of medical triage because DOA get priority.Anyway...Steverson was also Facebook friends with Nitelen Jackson, who is currently imprisoned, and was the subject of extensive coverage on this blog due not only to his criminal charges but his prolific use of social media to document his lifestyle. A Facebook "Rosetta Stone" Of Bad Northside Lifestyle Choices Among Steverson's friends, a number have changed their profile pictures to depict Steverson; presumably in a temporary fashion, a common form of memorialization on Facebook. A good number of these friends have names referencing "Pudda" (four of the friends) or "Skitz" (five of the friends) and there's even ten individuals whose names are variations on "Moe," known to be a gang reference to the Almighty Black P-Stones gang. The sheer number of Facebook friends this kid had is overwhelming. Just pressing the "accept friend request" button, repeatedly, would have taken hours. I'm sure the police gang intel units are having a field day with this stuff. What does everything on this kid's Facebook profile demonstrate, in summary? Overwhelming evidence of gang activity. A social worker should have been beating on the door of this kid's house solely based upon what was posted on Facebook. This stuff keeps happening right in front of our city. Young people leave one hundred dozen warning signs on social media and then they die of gang-related gunshot wounds. Customarily, this blog writes about the last few Facebook posts of Northsiders who lose their lives in this manner, and happen to be prolific on Facebook. It's a task I have performed far too many times.Here goes.On May 12 Steverson posted the following: S/O to them faithful bitches who only fucking with 1 nigga' (S/O means "shout out") On May 12 he posted a very complimentary likeness of himself in a white tuxedo with red bow tied, sipping a drink.

Those "tuxedo pics" are now likely to adorn a funeral placard or illustrate an obituary. On May 13 he posted this: JUST WAIT ON IT James Champion Chiraq L's !!#RIPTHACampaignIn response, 20 people "liked" the posting, but somebody named "Larry Jones" made a negative remark, which sparked another negative remark in return.

The referenced to Chiraq L seems to be a song which may be called "Chiraq Freestyle." In linking to the song, Steverson wrote "LOWEND SHIT." Again, hard to decipher what this means but there's that phrase "lowend" again.On May 15 he made a general complaint that his friends weren't communicating with him, and posted another link to "Chiraq Freestyle." On May 16, he told all his friends to "turn up" at "John's birthday bash," scheduled to be held June 10, 7 PM, at "2200 Fremont." Already, 174 people say they are "going." Since 2200 Fremont Ave. N. is "River of Life Lutheran Church," I presume he meant Fremont Ave. South? Well, no matter...On May 16, he wrote "Who wanna come to my hotel." Catrice Champion, who appears (um) rather old for the lad, was the only one to write out a response with the word "Me." On May 17, Steverson wrote this bit of freestyle poetry as follows:Know we from the 'Lows boyBut we cannot go boyNo I don't know OBoy I know he's a talkin boy"On May 19, he wrote this:THAT BITCH STILL LOVE HER EX IM NOT NO CLOWN '

Niggas ain't never did shit for me, looked out or none of thatNow how the fuck do you expect for me to look out for em' back #Ls

This would prove to be the day he was shot, though Steverson was young and strong and managed to hang on until the next day. Major media have repeatedly reported people at the scene of the shooting (the 1600 block of Newton Ave. N.) did not cooperate with police. As guest author Jordan North keeps pointing out...Snitching is not acceptable, but dying is apparently just fine.

49 comments:

Anonymous
said...

he wasn't a real gang member he just had affiliations, but nehemiah was not truly a gang member , rob and shoot type at all , he just had friends that were. Nehemiah was just around em , which is somewhat common with those who admire but its not truly in em, not saying he was a follower but he just wasn't the full fledged gang bangin type

Chiraq refers to the Chicago=Iraq meme due to the general lawless nature and violence inflicted on residents of Chicago by certain elements. Some of these same type of elements apparently use the reference theyselves.

I hate the attempt to rationalize this "youngsters" death.....with any certain persons who would like to take the opposite side .You lay down with dogs and you wake up with fleas.Plainly spoken but understood on all levels. When you prevaricate to cover up, you kill the community and were always a fraud from jump street.

You writing all this negative shit but not exposing the good stuff every time nehemiah came around he was always happy and smiling he always managed to put a smile on ones face, he got good grades and helped out alot! And for you to post this is very disrespectful to him...he was the victim not the suspect and was a rolemodel had younger siblings who loved and adored him ...check your resources a little bit better before you post, you didnt know him we did

You piece of shit he wasn't in a gang , he hung out with the wrong crowd , i'm petty sure you did too your old as dirt your not in Minnesota so why are you stalking and harassing these young children . Your writing false statements you don't know SHIT your gonna CROAK and they will say the same about you OLD ASS CRACKER

Johnny northside you dont know what your talking about just because he was affiliated with a gang does not mean he took action in gang activity. but for your information nehemiah had good grades and attended school like any normal teenager. He just came from prom and was about to enter his senior year in high school and was about to graduate

Cant wait til yo lil blogging ass lay down with fleas and dont get up ijs I wouldn't mind hearing about Johnny north side unsolved murder since our young black youths murders are so amusing and entertaining to you

Actually, no, I did not hang out with the wrong crowd when I was young. I was in Chess Club for a while, Knowledge Bowl and (my personal favorite) Alexandria High School On The Air. Student government, of course, and (let me think, what else, hmmm) oh, yes, I wrote a few articles now and then for the school newspaper.

I remember on the last day of my junior year I was walking somewhere...I forget why it was I wasn't riding the bus but instead was catching a ride, maybe there was a party....and some no account stoner guy invited me to go burn a joint with him. I was intrigued but decided, well, no. I won't be doing that. Thank you, but now.

Pretty sure he's in prison now.

So I specifically rebut your broad accusation that I, or for that matter all young people, sometimes hang out with the wrong crowd.

You Sat Your Old Nasty Ass Down & wrote all this you don't know what type of person he was your going off Facebook you've never seen him in school never seen him in person he was a funny goofy person you don't nothing about nun of these people your going off of Facebook your a dumb ass he brought light too Edison high school .. You don't know nothing at all so before you sit your old bord ass down in that seat & write about more people you don't know go check them out in person first dumb goofy asshole .

That's really sad to take all that time...and I do mean ALOT of time, trying to expose people!! We all know what going on...I'm trying to figure out how you helping to change it!! Don't make sense!! And don't forget to write about the two 12 yr old girls just stabbed the friend up who is also 12...and it didn't happen on the northside...IJS

Johnny, I am a business owner who just happens to be a North side resident. My life is consumed by work and family matters, and as such was totally unaware of what goes on in this area. The fact that criminal elements reside in this area at a greater rate than other parts of the Twin Cities, was rather obvious. However, that the North side is plagued by these homicidal zealots, is quite a revelation. I had no idea that these young thugs were so consumed with killing each other, and to use social media as platforms for their maniacal disorder, is the height of hubris and sheer stupidity. Their intent is to glorify a lifestyle that has no hope, no future. It's a lifestyle that drains resources from the community, and gives the hard working, blue and white collar tax-payers of the North side, a desire to leave. Fact is these treacherous thugs constitute a menace to the good people of North Minneapolis. These punks lack the most rudimentary understanding of ballistics and tactics, endangering just about every innocent person in the vicinity of their intended targets. For them, I have nothing but disdain, and when I see them (I know the type), it's a rather visceral reaction. They are predators on the loose, and the government needs to utilize the Rico Statute to clean up Minneapolis. As evident by these inane and imbecilic posts, their own family members defend these killers! There's no remorse, no hindsight on where and how these kids turned into criminals. Their only concerns, is to somehow whitewash the filth that are these blood sucking vampires. I am sick of the killers and their families. Get them out of Minneapolis under Rico, and lock up all the families involved. My frustration is obvious, but my resolve to get these criminals off our streets runs deep. I have certain resources at my disposal, and I intend to continue doing my part of keeping the streets of Minneapolis safe for the good, decent and hard working people of Minneapolis. I thank you for shedding the light on these roaches; now they're mad at you and wishing you harm. Well, as an enlightened Black man (relevant only to illustrate that not all of us thinks/ feels the same) I want to thank you very much for these revelations. May YHWH continue to bestow HIS blessings upon you, and the law abiding citizens of North Minneapolis. The seeds of satan can all go to hell! Sicerely!

Um JohnnyNorth siside, u talk abour this boy as if he was nothing as if u wasn't a victim just cause he associated with people in gangs . I may not know Him but i knew of him, and just cause he knew some one or threw up a couple signs or talk a different way doesnt mean he Literally gang bang, nibodys perfect and for u someone whos post to be writing the truth how about u step out from that computer screen ask about the truth of that young man u can speak about the bad but NOT the good! Thats wrong and for those we r calling this man a cracker and telling him thats y his son died it doesn't make it ni better yall r just proving his point n r society and r ways of life

Im just saying from all the things ive seen and heard he had a powerful effecf on people and it doesn't sound like a boy in a GANG could do that ! Y dont u let him rest n peace before you start to throw dirt on his name sir

Look at all the 'friends' defending his character with name calling and foul language. Were these the same friends with him when he was shot and refused to cooperate with the police. Quit blaming everyone and everything for your poor choices. Responsibility starts with YOU.

Bunch of uneducated animals thinkin your hot shit try going to school so you can learn how to speak. I'd line up every one of you worthless fucking dans and light you up if I knew where to find you just for speaking to a veteran the way you do. This guy tries to help good people and all of you are too stupid to figure that out. I hope he stops cuz everyone knows that NoMi is a fucking cesspool (shithole to u dumbfucks)

I do not approve of the tone or content of a number of comments that I have published here, comments both critical of this blogger and supposedly cheering this blogger. I disapprove of what is in these comments but for purposes of a vigorous free speech debate I hit the PUBLISH button.

In response to the poster who talked about the "seeds of Satan" near the end of his post...

Satan was indeed colorblind when he made his seeds. It was Martin Luther King Jr who talked about a day when men would be judged for the "content of their character." That day is here as far as I am concerned. If gangs of Amerasian gays were killing each other in the street, I would write about THAT. I am what you might call and "equal opportunity offender" and a "colorblind and creed-blind gore-er of sacred cows."

I like the way all of the news channels always sugarcoat these individuals and their families who enabled them to be where they were when they got snuffed. Reality television,not. He was a good boy but liked to hang out with dealers, robbers, and POTENTIAL killers(a.k.a. domestic terrorist's) He liked to flash gang signs but was not in a gang. Shout out to the African-American community "Keep lyin' and your boy's keep dyin'' A truly pathetic attempt to continue the blaming and passing the buck. SNAFU.

I tell my 14 yr old son every day, the company you keep determines the character people see. It is heart breaking that this young man (and many more are dying by the hands of their own), and even more heart breaking that the ones that are murdering are those in their same communities and environments. Wake up young black youth...life has so much more to offer. CHOOSE LIFE!!! But when you are trying to "be about that life" you automatically choose death (whether its prison or 6 feet deep). GOD turn the hardened hearts of your people back to you, in Jesus name!

They are right, John. You aren't doing anything to make things better. And you are too ignorant (or self-assured) to know that you are so close to having someone come down to Oklahoma and take you out of the picture.

-----------------He was not in a gang, though many other young people with whom he associated were in gangs, his brother and stepbrother said at the vigil at North Commons Park. They had been encouraging “Bubba,” as Steverson was known, to get involved in their clothing line.-----------------

ASSOCIATING with gang members, friending them on Facebook, posting their pictures, hanging out with them...

What's it all add up to?

Not exactly MEMBERSHIP in a gang, no.

INVOLVEMENT? Yes.

And that's just to the degree FREELY ADMITTED to the mainstream media. What is the part NOT BEING SAID ALOUD?

What's actually still out there, waiting to be aired, waiting to find its way into the ultimate charges to be filed against the shooter and whatever was the shooter's motive waiting to be revealed...

Jonny north side your poorly informed. I find it offensive that your so interested in my friends death. Does it make a difference if he was participating in "gang activity" or not? This earth lost a person many people cared and loved about. you trying to make him out to be something he's not. He was a great guy. We went to school together. We were in the same grade. Just because you turned down a joint in your life doesn't make you a saint. And because nehemiah was shot doesn't make him a gang member. This is sickening.

FROM WHAT I HEARD A FEW TIMES IS THAT HE WAS ON THE PORCH OF SOME HOUSE AND HIS FRIEND HAD A GUN THAT HE GRABBED FROM HIM AND IT WENT OFF WHEN HE GRABBED IT AND SHOT HIM IN THE STOMACH. THEY PANICKED AND DID NOT WANT TO GO TO JAIL SO THEY DRAGGED HIM DOWN THE STREET

FROM WHAT I HEARD A FEW TIMES IS THAT HE WAS ON THE PORCH OF SOME HOUSE AND HIS FRIEND HAD A GUN THAT HE GRABBED FROM HIM AND IT WENT OFF WHEN HE GRABBED IT AND SHOT HIM IN THE STOMACH. THEY PANICKED AND DID NOT WANT TO GO TO JAIL SO THEY DRAGGED HIM DOWN THE STREET

One question...why does race have to come into play?? All the comments about Johnny Northside being racist are being made with racist comments towards him. Anger brings on hatred, hatred brings on bad decisions and in many cases death. The bottom line is North has always had a bad reputation, drugs, gangs and death. My kids who attended Edison with this young man said in school he was a very likable young man, he was smart and friendly and always smiling, they are astute enough to also say, but that was in school. Only those who were around him outside school can attest to his behavior out of the school. The death of this young man also affected a bunch of kids who had nothing to do with the murder, or the gangs of Northside. Security was stepped up to protect his school mates, what does this tell you? Someone somewhere felt there was danger to more students, brought on by gang affiliation or just because a couple people thought hey, since a kid died the school needs to have 20 cops out there every day. I feel for the family on the death of their child. I feel for the community on the loss of a young adult who could have been a positive light. I am saddened because the violence doesn't end. One person dies, so we have to kill someone for that murder, it's a domino's affect. Stop the violence, use your brain and LIVE. There is no sense in killing over a street corner, or a color of clothing it's just stupid and there is no honor in that mess